Health officials encourage residents to get flu vaccination. Video ~ 3 minutes.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Seasonal influenza is a serious illness that each year kills about 36,000 Americans and sends more than 200,000 to the hospital.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur, but are more common in children than adults.
Complications of seasonal flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal flu.
How flu spreads
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though you can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Be sure to wash your hands, cover your cough and sneezes (PDF) and stay home when you are sick to reduce your chance of catching or spreading flu.
Preventing flu
When to get vaccinated
The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. This year, seasonal flu vaccine is available early and people are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
Seasonal flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. H1N1 (Swine flu) is currently present in our community and could create illness in as much as 30 to 40 percent of the population this fall and winter. Seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H1N1. Vaccine for H1N1 is currently available for anyone who wants it. Public Health encourages everyone to get vaccinated against H1N1
Who should get vaccinated
You should get vaccinated each year if you are:
6 months to 19 years of age.
50 years of age or older.
Pregnant.
Living with certain chronic medical conditions.
Living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Living with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
Health care workers.
Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu.
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.
Types of vaccines
Flu shot – An injectable vaccine that contains dead (inactivated) viruses. You may experience soreness at the injection site lasting less than 2 days, but serious side effects from this vaccine are extremely rare. The shot is approved for anyone older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
This vaccine may come in a multiple or single-dose vial or pre-filled syringes. Single-dose vials or pre-filled syringes are thimerosal-free and are available in doses appropriate for children aged 6 to 35 months old and for individuals 3 years and older. Children 6 months to 8 years who are receiving an injectable flu vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses of the injectable vaccine 4 weeks apart.
Nasal spray - A live, weakened virus vaccine that is sprayed into the nose (sometimes called LAIV, “live attenuated virus” or FluMist ®). The spray is approved for healthy people 2 to 49 years old who are not pregnant. Children aged 6 months to 8 years who are receiving nasal spray flu vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses of vaccine 6 weeks apart.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against influenza-like illnesses caused by other viruses.
